Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common and costly hospital-acquired infections, yet they are largely preventable. The greatest modifiable risk factor for developing a CAUTI is duration of catheterization, including initial indwelling catheter placement when it may not otherwise be necessary. Alternatives to indwelling urinary catheters, including intermittent straight catheterization and the use of external catheters, should be considered in applicable patients. If an indwelling urinary catheter is required, aseptic insertion technique and maintenance should be performed. Through the use of collaborative, multidisciplinary intervention efforts, CAUTI rates can be successfully reduced.
Infectious disease clinics of North America. 2024 Sep 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Elizabeth Scruggs-Wodkowski, Ian Kidder, Jennifer Meddings, Payal K Patel
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, University Hospital South F4012A, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: ., Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, University Hospital South F4012A, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA., Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, East Medical Campus, 4260 Plymouth Road, Room F224, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Clinical Management Research, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA., Division of Infectious Diseases, Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 South Cottonwood Street, Suite 350, Murray, UT 84107, USA.